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The channel was launched as Setanta Sports, in partnership with Ireland-based Setanta Sports, on August 10, 2007 in time for the 2007–08 Premier League season, as a dedicated channel within Rogers' sports pay-per-view service Sportsnet PPV. Although operating under a pay-per-view licence, Setanta acted as a pay television service, with a 24-hour commercial-free schedule, rather than a pay-per-view service where customers are prompted to pay a price for each individual event.

In mid-2009, Rogers swapped licences for Setanta Sports, from using the pay-per-view licence to the category 2 digital licence, without interrupting service; at which point, the Irish-based Setanta Sports company gained a 33.33% interest in the Rogers subsidiary that owns 80% of the channel, as well as a 20% interest in the channel itself.[2]

In July 2011, Rogers announced that Setanta Sports would be rebranded as part of the Rogers Sportsnet family of networks on October 3, 2011, becoming Sportsnet World. The change was intended to allow the channel to be cross-promoted through other Sportsnet properties – which would also be rebranded with a new logo and image campaign on the same day.[3][4] In preparation for the relaunch, Setanta Sports' minority stake in the channel was sold to another company, MLM Management,[5] and the rights to Setanta programming were maintained by the channel. Despite being branded as a Sportsnet service, it remained a premium channel separate from the Sportsnet regional networks and Sportsnet One.[3] MLM Management's interest in the channel was sold to Rogers in early 2012, giving Rogers 100% interest in the service.[6]

The Sportsnet family of channels broadcasts 5 Premier league games a week, the other 5 of which are broadcast on the TSN family of channels. Sportsnet World typically broadcasts 3 matches a week, often one of which is broadcast simultaneously on the Sportsnet regional channels.

The Sportsnet channels used to show one third of all Toronto FC matches, the other two-thirds of which were shown on the TSN family of channels. However, starting with the 2017 MLS Season, TSN now has exclusive rights for all Toronto FC matches.

Sportsnet World HD is a high definition simulcast of Sportsnet World's standard definition feed. It was launched on August 1, 2010 as Setanta Sports HD.[10] It was renamed Sportsnet World HD on October 3, 2011 to coincide with the rebranding of Setanta Sports to Sportsnet World.